Police have released footage of three offenders armed with guns and an axe forcing their way into a Strathmore home.

• Scroll down to see footage of the disturbing incident

Investigators believe the trio had entered the Term Street home intending to kill the occupant in the early hours of April 29, but they had the wrong address.

Press PLAY below to hear how the terrifying turn of events unfolded

The trio, wearing balaclavas, fired several shots into the front door and smashed a window with an axe, before chasing a 54-year-old male resident and firing several shots in his direction.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Pengelly says it’s only by chance the thugs realised their mistake.

“Fortunately the offenders realised they were at the wrong address and did not kill the victim,” he told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“It was definitely an execution-style home invasion.”

Press PLAY below to see the confronting footage

The occupant, a 54-year-old man, wasn’t physically injured during the incident.

The trio arrived in a stolen black Volkswagen Tiguan, which was found burnt out in Woodstock a short time later. The trio were then seen fleeing in a white 2018 Mazda 3 hatch.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.